Reconciliation (also known as Confession or Penance) is a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ in His love and mercy to offer us forgiveness of any sins we have committed against God, our neighbor or ourselves.

Sin prevents us from having a healthy, loving relationship with God, others and ourselves. Through this sacrament, we are healed, restored and free to be in right relationship again with our God, our family, our world, and our Church.

If it has been a long time since your last confession, welcome back! Every saint had a history, and every sinner has a future. The Lord’s love, mercy and reconciliation is available all the time. Reconciliation is what God does. We prepare for it by opening ourselves up, by reflecting upon the areas in our lives bound by darkness, hurt, shame or guilt into which God so deeply desires to enlighten, heal, and free.

In Reconciliation, forgiveness of sins involves four parts:

• Contrition: We know how we have sinned and are sincerely sorrowful for having offended God. There can be no forgiveness if we do not have sorrow and a firm resolve to change with God’s help. 
• Confession: We confront and take power over our sins in a profound way by stating them aloud to God through the priest.
• Penance: The priest asks us to perform penance as a sign of our working to be in right relationship with God and others. Penance is an important part of our healing.
• Absolution: The priest speaks the words aloud of what is really happening within you—the washing of your soul clean by the blood shed by the Lord Jesus Christ for you on the Cross. 

1. Prepare with an Examination of Conscience. 
2. Enter confessional & say hello. 
3. Make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [state days, weeks, months, years] since my last confession.” 
4. Confess all of your sins. Ask for the priest for help if needed.
5. Conclude with “I am sorry for these and all my sins.” 
6. Receive counsel and penance from the priest.
7. Express your sorrow with an Act of Contrition. 
8. Receive Absolution. Respond “Amen.” 
9. Dismissal ~ Go in Peace
10. Complete your penance after leaving the confessional.